Best cheap headphones of 2017: These are the BEST headphones you can buy for less than £50

There’s one thing that has never changed in the many years I’ve been writing about technology: the headphones supplied with smartphones and music players will be, invariably, dreadful. Apple is among the worst culprits, as it took years to redesign its terrible white earbuds, finally replacing them with the still-very-average EarPods in 2012. Nil points, Apple. READ NEXT: Best headphones in 2017.

Luckily, the market for third-party, replacement headphones has exploded in recent times, thanks mainly to the success of brands such as Beats, Marley and Monster. Once upon a time, upgrading your headphones was considered a weird, geeky audiophile thing to do; now it’s accepted that to get great audio you sometimes need to spend a bit extra.
The 5 best cheap headphones – at a glance

The thing is, do you really need to spend more than £50? I’ve taken a look at a selection of cheap headphones costing less than £50 to answer all these questions and more. Read on for our pick of the best headphones for under £50.

1. SoundMagic E10 C

Price: £40

Score: 5/5

SoundMagic’s sub-£50 in-ear headphones are a revelation. Dynamic, powerful and yet deft enough to dig out the subtlest details in your music, these are hands down the best cheap headphones I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to. Not only that, they’re well built and come with a universal inline remote control that works across iOS and Android devices. You also get a generous selection of fittings and accessories in the box. An absolute bargain at £40.

Read the full SoundMagic E10 C review here 

2. Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2

Price: £45

Score: 5/5

At just under £45, the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 provides sensational value for money. The earphones come with three interchangeable tuning filters, giving you the option to customise the sound to your needs. The Rock Jaw’s sound is slightly V-shaped, but given its price, the earphones punch well above its price category. What really sets it apart from the rest, is its deep and wide soundstage, something of a rarity in the under £50 earphone market.

Read the full Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 review on Expert Reviews 

3. Sennheiser CX 3.00

Price when reviewed: £30

Score: 4/5

Sennheiser’s CX 3.00 are a revelation at this price point. They produce a powerful, detailed sound with oodles of bass for those who love the low-end. They come with four ear fittings and a hard case, but no inline remote control or microphone. That’s a touch disappointing, but for £30 there aren’t too many headphones that sound this good.

Read the full Sennheiser CX 3.00 review here 

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